A long look at training..

Yesterday, I had a great swim.

Met up with Sarah and swam back and fourth along the beach for about 600 m. The waves were strong and I never experienced that before. Good practice for Sunday. Afterwards, I went to the community pool. I did 4 sets of 500 m pulln Each sets I focus on a specific technique. Here is the breakdown:

First set, hand push water to leg
Second set, high elbow
Third set, no crossover when breathing
Last set, all the above plus sighting

Felt great. With proper stretch, recovery drink and good rest, this morning, my arms feels fresh and ready for some more.
......

I have been thinking about my training for the past month and the beginning of this season. I notice that in the past month, my training is up and down and not consistent. I don't get up as early as I do in winter to train. Perhaps this has to do with summer and more social things going on.

On the other hand, one of the things I am doing well is rest and recovery. This year, I haven't got sick once. No sniffles, no cough, no cold. No sick = faster recovery = more training. I have some minor injuries. But nothing biggie. So maybe I am taking care of myself better than I think.

Got this article from Sheila, Gordo talks about training for Ironman and endurance sports. As any atheltes want to push their performance, there is always a feeling of inadequate when comparing with others. Gordo put it well in this verse, "The best athletes race from where their fitness is, rather than where they'd like it to be."

So how is my fitness? It has improved a lot since last year. Not only am I going further but also faster. If we have to put it into numbers, well, last year's tri, I rode the bike leg averaging 30 kph in a 33 km route [flat]. When I rode Becel Ride for Heart two Sundays ago, I rode the same speed in a 75 km route [up and down] (ok maybe not faster..but I ain't slower :D). More noticeably is my recovery. With proper diet and rest, I am training much more volume than last year feeling stronger, more fresh and more energetic.

The past few weeks, there are few trainings I have been pushing too hard. Example, last Fri's long run. There is no need to go all out in the last 15 minutes. Long endurance race is all aerobic. Worst, it killed my quads for Sat's long ride. I was lucky Darren wasn't planning on going all out.

So how am I holding up? Today, I slept 9 hours and bailed my morning training. Boy, does that feel great (the rest, not the bail out). Leading up to Sunday, I want to get 8-9 hours of rest everyday. If I have to bail on a training for rest, I will. My body and mind will appreciate it. I want to do a short long run (15 km or so) on Wednesday. A relaxing bike ride. Then the other days will do 30-50 min of exercise as I feel.

I am very prepared for this race. There is some worry of the swim but overall I am feeling quite calm and excited.

After the race, I plan on easing back into training. Then have one focus training week. Then taper off for 1/2 Peterborough (July 9th).